'''Elmo''' is a furry red Muppet monster with an orange nose. He is self-described as 3-and-a-half years old, and refers to himself almost entirely in the third person.<ref>On a few occasions, Elmo's dialogue has broken this rule such as [[Sing After Me|in song]] or via [[Sesame_Street_Pageants#food|indirect comments]].</ref> The character proved to be immensely popular with toddlers that in 1998, he was given his own full segment on ''[[Sesame Street]]'', called "[[Elmo's World]]." Currently, a new Elmo-centered segment titled "[[Elmo the Musical]]" airs in it's place.

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'''Elmo''' is a furry red Muppet monster with an orange nose. He is self-described as 3-and-a-half years old, and refers to himself almost entirely in the third person.<ref>On a few occasions, Elmo's dialogue has broken this rule such as [[Sing After Me|in song]] or via [[Sesame_Street_Pageants#food|indirect comments]].</ref> The character proved to be immensely popular with toddlers that in 1998, he was given his own full segment on ''[[Sesame Street]]'', called "[[Elmo's World]]." Currently, a new Elmo-centered segment titled "[[Elmo the Musical]]" airs in its place.

As with many children of his age, he is seen somewhat infrequently with a favorite toy of his: an orange monster-like doll named [[Baby David|David]]. Elmo lives in [[Elmo's apartment|an apartment]] on [[Sesame Street (location)|Sesame Street]] with his mother [[Mae]], his father [[Louie]], and, in some storybooks, a sister named [[Daisy (sister)|Daisy]].

As with many children of his age, he is seen somewhat infrequently with a favorite toy of his: an orange monster-like doll named [[Baby David|David]]. Elmo lives in [[Elmo's apartment|an apartment]] on [[Sesame Street (location)|Sesame Street]] with his mother [[Mae]], his father [[Louie]], and, in some storybooks, a sister named [[Daisy (sister)|Daisy]].

Elmo is a furry red Muppet monster with an orange nose. He is self-described as 3-and-a-half years old, and refers to himself almost entirely in the third person.[1] The character proved to be immensely popular with toddlers that in 1998, he was given his own full segment on Sesame Street, called "Elmo's World." Currently, a new Elmo-centered segment titled "Elmo the Musical" airs in its place.

As with many children of his age, he is seen somewhat infrequently with a favorite toy of his: an orange monster-like doll named David. Elmo lives in an apartment on Sesame Street with his mother Mae, his father Louie, and, in some storybooks, a sister named Daisy.

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Early years

The puppet that would eventually become Elmo has been around since the early 1970s. During this time, he was referred to on the set as "Baby Monster," and had a number of performers ranging from Caroll Spinney[2] to Jerry Nelson[3] for background scenes.

Elmo first appeared on Sesame Street specifically as "Elmo" in Season 12[4] where he was performed by Brian Muehl. After Muehl's departure in 1984, the character was briefly re-cast to Richard Hunt, who performed Elmo with a gruff caveman voice and a rowdy persona. Hunt was not comfortable with performing Elmo, and felt the character was not working. One day, frustrated with the role, Hunt came into the show's green room and literally tossed the puppet to Kevin Clash and asked what he could get out of it.[5] Clash gave Elmo his recognizable falsetto, and while trying to find a "hook" for the character, decided that Elmo should embody love. Clash said, "I knew that Elmo should represent love - just kissing and hugging."[6] Clash cites a season 17 scene in which Elmo packs for an imaginary vacation as the moment when he "found his voice" as Elmo.[7] Writer David Korr took a liking to the character, and backed up with positive research, started utilizing Elmo regularly.[5]

Kermit Love felt he knew part of the character's reason for success: "Elmo is popular because Elmo is red."[8]

Behind the scenes

There are either eight or nine Elmo puppets currently available. Kevin Clash told Channel Newsasia that "this one [on my lap] is rodded. There's a full radio-controlled Elmo, there's one for the blue screen, etc. They do different things."[9] In later years, there has been a live-hand variant of Elmo, used in episodes like episode 4206 and specials like Elmo's World: Happy Holidays!

Additionally, dozens of Elmo variants have been created by the Muppet Workshop (now, Jim Henson's Puppet Workshop) almost exclusively for use in Tickle Me Land as figments of Dorothy's imagination. These creations build on the basic premise of the Elmo puppet, to create a unique design which displays a variation of Elmo as anything from a rock to an elephant, to even a male doctor and female nurse.

At another screening at the Museum for the Moving Image, Elmo was asked what it was like to work with Richard Hunt, to huge response from the audience. He recollected "It was TORTURE! ...Elmo doesn't like opera! Elmo doesn't like tuna fish sandwiches and Schweppes Ginger Ale. Elmo doesn't like any of those things! But for some reason, when he was working Elmo, Elmo was motivated to love those things."[10]

Trivia

For the 2005/2006 season, Sesamstraat moved into new scenery. The scenery was introduced with a TV special. Bert, Ernie, Cookie Monster and Elmo flew over to Holland for this special occasion. It was the first time the American characters visited the Dutch street.

According to Ask Elmo, his favorite food is wasabi; that's why he has no eyelids. This is confirmed on Rove Live and in interviews.[10] In 2000, he told Donnie and Marie Osmond that his mother and father tell him to never "hate" any food, but he makes an exception for Brussels sprouts, Marie decides to taunt him with a bowl of them.

The meaning of life to Elmo? He stated that: "Um, the meaning of life for Elmo is respecting your elders by saying Mr. And Ms. and saying thank you and also giving lots of loves and kisses. That's the meaning of life for Elmo."[11]